Manchester City will continue talks with their legal team on Wednesday morning
in an effort to draw up a battle plan to spare Emmanuel Adebayor from a
potential four-match suspension following two charges of violent conduct and
improper conduct as a result of his actions against his former club Arsenal
on Saturday.

Flashpoint: Manchester City's Emmanuel Adebayor celebrates his goal in controversial style against former club ArsenalPhoto: PA

City and Adebayor have yet to respond to the charge of violent conduct brought about by his alleged stamping on Robin van Persie. And although it appears likely his suspension for this charge will not be extended beyond three matches, City will explore all legal possibilities before Wednesday's 6pm deadline.

A second charge of improper conduct relating to Adebayor's goal celebration in the 4-2 victory will be contested by City.

Although punishments for improper conduct are wide and varied, it is understood that a one-game suspension and fine are the most likely outcome in the event of Adebayor being found guilty.

City's initial plans to raise objections with the Premier League over comments by chief executive Richard Scudamore, suggesting that Adebayor "didn't do the image of the league or football in general any good", have been dropped. Further comments by Scudamore urging the FA to "deal with" Adebayor also raised eyebrows at Eastlands, but City are keen to avoid the case descending into a clash of personal opinions.

Adebayor, 25, is facing an initial three-match suspension, starting with Sunday's derby against Manchester United at Old Trafford, after being charged with violent conduct following a clash with Van Persie that left the Arsenal forward with facial injuries during City's 4-2 win.

Match referee Mark Clattenburg has confirmed to the FA that he would have dismissed Adebayor had he witnessed the incident.

Should the £25 million forward deny the charge, the FA disciplinary panel will review the matter and announce their findings and any punishment on Thursday.

Adebayor has until Sept 30 to respond to the additional charge of improper conduct, which could result in a fine or further suspension, following his inflammatory goal celebration against his former club when he ran the length of the pitch before sliding to his knees in front of the Arsenal enclosure.

Adebayor and City can request a personal hearing to answer that charge and the club are ready to highlight an incident involving Manchester United captain Gary Neville in January 2006.

Neville was fined £5,000 and warned as to his future conduct for celebrating Rio Ferdinand's injury-time winner against Liverpool at Old Trafford in front of the visiting supporters.

Adebayor's case has not been helped, however, by Greater Manchester Police writing to the FA with their views on the incident, which resulted in unrest and a crowd surge in the Arsenal enclosure at Eastlands.

Having spent Tuesday in discussion with the club's lawyers, City officials are "watching with interest" to see the outcome of the improper conduct charge levelled against Nottingham Forest's Nathan Tyson, who has until Friday to respond to being charged as a result of a flag-waving celebration in front of Derby fans at the City Ground in August.

Any punishment handed to Tyson could be viewed as a precedent by City, who are expected to request a personal hearing for Adebayor.

With the separate charge of violent conduct being processed through the FA's fast-track disciplinary system, Adebayor cannot request a personal hearing should he deny the charge on Wednesday.

The case is the first major disciplinary issue to land on Watmore's desk since his appointment as chief executive in February and there is a determination within the FA for a strong message to be sent out by the new man at the helm.

Should Adebayor be suspended for Sunday's trip to Old Trafford, Mark Hughes faces being without more than £100 million of attacking talent against the champions. With Robinho and Roque Santa Cruz already ruled out due to injury, City have confirmed that former United forward Carlos Tevez is 'very doubtful' due to the knee injury he sustained on international duty with Argentina.